Let me try this: My work ummmm... vehicle?

[baddabang]

My job requires me to drive something that most have not. It's complicated, somewhat dangerous, loud, and for the most part rather... fun? It's a 1980 something Zamboni 500 ice resurfacing machine.

Is it practical?

Not exactly, since it only has 1 seat. I suppose if you needed a ride you'd have to sit on my lap. Which is fine with me if you are female.

Is it economical?

It goes through roughly 1.5, 33.5lb. propane tanks per day and even more on the weekends. So no it's not very economical.


Is it fun to drive?

The Zamboni 500 comes standard with a 62HP 1.8 liter 4 cylinder VW industrial engine, and hydraulic steering. There is no suspension. Yes you read that right, the axles are bolted directly to the frame. What this translates to is that off the ice surface where inclines, declines, and snow banks exist, the ride is similar to the sitting in the back seat of a school bus. Or riding a mechanical bull...

Top speed: 9.7 MPH.

On the ice playing surface though (hockey rink) it's a blast. Drifting the end boards in a perfect slide and snapping the back end around to catch the unsmoothed ice takes skill. And you can only use your left hand since the right hand is too busy adjusting 2 valves and 5 levers to get the best ice resurfacing results and to control the throttle.

Will it break down all the time?

Yes its Volkswagen powered. It overheats almost daily, and goes through roughly 2 head gaskets annually. Not to mention it hates the cold.

Is it easy to park?

She sleeps in her own personal heated garage space. It's plenty wide and tall enough for the Zamboni so yes, it is easy to park.


What if I go to a Shopping Centre and get chased by baddies in a Corvette?

I would suggest leaving the shopping center on a very snowy day. Otherwise you will be killed.

Is it green?

Actually its red and brown.

Can I afford it?

Back in the 1980's the MSRP on our machine was $55,000. Today you can trick them out with small block chevy's and electric engines pushing them well over $100,000.

What If I'm asked to take part in a beach assault with the Royal Marines?

Hope the beach assault is in January and the water is frozen.

Stock Zamboni 500:


Me piloting my work vehicle:

[wwgkd]

I'm jealous. I've always wanted to drive a Zamboni. Not really sure why, but they've always seemed like fun.

[f6fhellcat13]

Lower it.

[CdocZ]

Lower it.

Psh, put a GT-R into the engine! That'll do the trick.

[jcp123]

Now THAT is my dream ride. And job!

[Niko_Fx]

Will it break down all the time?

Yes its Volkswagen powered.

Awesome, lol!

[cargirl1990]

A ZAMBONI!!! Wait... why are these so special? Could someone be so kind as to tell me why?

[csl177]

Crack a link now and then, cargirl: Welcome to Zamboni®

Whata cool gig, baddabang! What's the view like when fans are in the stands?
But... VW powered and overheating issues seem like major issues for $100K machines.

[coolieman1220]

have you guys ever seen monster garage? jesse james took an early 90's chevrolet impala and made it into a zamboni! i miss that show. it was cool

Monster Garage 1993 Chevy Zamboni Zampala - Pictures of Cars

[wwgkd]

have you guys ever seen monster garage? jesse james took an early 90's chevrolet impala and made it into a zamboni! i miss that show. it was cool

Monster Garage 1993 Chevy Zamboni Zampala - Pictures of Cars

It was an awesome show, but I think they ran out of ideas cause the last few were kind of lame. They tried to make it about drama to keep it going, but the weird project ideas were what made it interesting.